Christine Bothа

Biography

Christine Botha was born on 19 February 2004 and grew up in Centurion, South Africa. She attended primary and secondary school at Cornwall Hill College in Irene, Centurion. She started playing the violin at the age of 6 under the tutorship of Madeleine Wickner at Cornwall Hill College and at the age of 14 she furthered her violin studies under Evert van Niekerk. Since 2019 and from the age of 16, she has been tutored by Viara Markova.

EXTRAMURAL ACTIVITIES

Christine is an able archer and a competitive equestrian. She has been awarded junior provincial equestrian colours on several occasions in the period 2016-2019 and has competed at national level.  

ACHIEVEMENTS

She participated at various Eisteddfods in the period 2013 – 2018. She successfully auditioned for participation in the Gauteng Chamber Music Festival during 2017, 2018 & 2019 where participants where tutored among others by Johanna Roos and Ane van Staden. She also attended a Master Class with Valery Andreev in 2018.

She played in both the Junior and Senior Orchestras at Cornwall Hill College where she played 1st violin lead in the Senior Orchestra. The orchestra participated in various competitions and festivals such as the Gauteng Big Band Jazz Festival and won a number of prizes.

She successfully auditioned for the Symphonia Juventi Orchestra during 2020 and 2021 as well as for the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company (“JYOC”) conducted by Eddie Clayton (a Naledi Award Winning Musical Director, Conductor, Arranger, Composer and Educator). Christine is currently playing 1st violin in the JYOC.

ACCOLADES

2017 - Awarded the “Afrikaanse Kunsvereniging, Pretoria” prize - “Best Achievement for string Player 12 years and under”;

2017 - Awarded the Cornwall Hill College prize -” Best String Player for Senior Prep; and

2019 - Awarded the Cornwall Hill College prize - “Best Junior String Player”.